Wilby hosted Sacred Heart in a junior varsity soccer game and that meant that on one end of the field there was Randy Poulter, 53, coach of the Wilby junior varsity team for the past 10 years.

On the other side of the pitch was Dennis Poulter, 24, son of Randy and a former Wilby soccer star now in his third season as a coach with the Hearts.

For the first time, Waterbury's first family of coaching locked horns on the field.

It seemed odd that it took this long.

Papa Poulter, 53, is the assistant soccer coach at Wilby and the head boys swim coach. Oldest son Craig, 27, a Wilby grad, is the girls swim coach at Wilby.

He was All-City in soccer and baseball for the Wildcats. Youngest son Dennis, 24, is the assistant boys soccer coach at Sacred Heart. Dennis was All-State in baseball and All-City in soccer for the Wildcats. He played soccer at Western Connecticut.

And do not forget daughter Kelsey, 22, a three-time All-State gymnast performing as a team of one for the Wildcats while a student at Waterbury Arts Magnet School. She coaches gymnastics at Girls Inc.

Another father-son coaching matchup is in swimming between Naugatuck coach Jim McKee and his son Mark, head swim coach at Masuk. The McKees next clash on Oct. 15, at Masuk. It is the fourth family meeting. Dad has won the previous three.

"The meets were proud moments, but not special coaching moments," said Jim McKee. "I am proud of Mark all of the time, but I wanted to win the meet."

The Poulter coaching circles have spun throughout the city for nearly two decades. Wednesday was the first time the circles came together in the same place, with different teams.

"It is a little weird," Dennis Poulter said before the opening kick off. "It is kind of like the Super Bowl when the (Harbaugh) brothers coached against each other, but on a smaller scale."

Dennis has played on teams coached by his dad since the age of five. If there is one trait he hopes to inherit, it is Randy Poulter's passion and energy.

"His excitement and enthusiasm for the game, it's almost like he wants to be out there," Dennis said. "I try to emulate that."

The Hearts won this game, 3-2. Randy was OK with that. For dad, the big picture has all of his children working with city youth. The final score is only part of the story.

"You know, they are still in the city," Randy said. "Born and raised in the city, educated in the city, and still working with city kids."

And for at least one afternoon, going head to head with dear old dad in an NVL soccer game.

" What a great Waterbury family! The Poulters are an example of the amazing people that make up this city. There are many other Waterbury families out there making a positive impact for others but the Poulters are one of the BEST! I was able to see first hand the level of care, hardwork, and support they give to any city kid looking to do something positive through sports. Great article! "

" This is an amazing article about a family who are all dedicated to the young people of Waterbury. Their dedication, enthusiasm, integrity and loyalty are inspirational and it comes from great roots on both sides. Poppa Joe Skerrit and Poppa Bruce Poulter along with Mae and Rita instilled a value in their children that is now being carried on through the works of their children and grandchildren. "

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